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A castle town founded by the warlord Date Masamune. Zelkova-lined avenues, the castle site and his mausoleum are in the city; Matsushima Bay and Yamadera are easy train trips. Known for grilled beef tongue.
"Classics" and "Hidden gems" are this site's editorial picks, not a measured popularity ranking.
The site of Date Masamune's castle. Stone walls remain, and the hilltop with his statue on horseback looks out over the city.
about 60 minFree
Bus · About 30 min from Sendai ・ Loople Sendai bus to Sendai Castle Site ・ 2.0km from here
The mausoleum of Date Masamune. Stone steps through tall cedars lead up to a hall covered in brightly colored carvings.
about 45 minPaid entryMany stairs or slopes
Bus · About 25 min from Sendai ・ Loople Sendai bus to Zuihoden-mae, then about 7 minutes on foot ・ 1.8km from here
A shrine built by Date Masamune. Its main hall, in black lacquer with gold and colored carvings, is a National Treasure.
about 30 minFree
Bus · About 30 min from Sendai ・ Bus from Sendai Station to Osaki Hachimangu-mae ・ 2.4km from here
A broad avenue lined with zelkova trees, with sculptures along the central walkway. The trees are lit up in December.
about 30 minFree
Subway · About 12 min from Sendai ・ Namboku subway line to Kotodai-Koen ・ 200m from here
A lane of fish, vegetable and deli stalls a short walk from the station. Despite the name, it stays open into the evening.
about 30 minFreeFine on a rainy day
Walk · About 5 min from Sendai ・ 1.1km from here
A bay dotted with pine-covered islands, one of Japan's Three Views. Cruise among the islands and cross a bridge to Godaido Hall.
Matsushima Bay is named in a feature on JNTO's UK site that presents Tohoku as a still little-known region. Source: JNTO (UK feature), Tohoku Travel Guide: Uncovering Japan's Best-Kept Secret
about 2 hrPartly paid
Train · About 55 min from Sendai ・ JR Senseki Line to Matsushima-Kaigan, then about 10 minutes on foot ・ 20km from here
“Classics” and “Hidden gems” are our editors' picks, not a measured popularity ranking. Travel times are estimates. Please check prices, opening hours and operating days with the official sources before you go.
Downtown Sendai beyond the trees, seen from the Sendai Castle site Enirac Sum (Public domain) / The white turret of Sendai Castle on its stone wall 663highland (CC BY 2.5) / The black-and-gold Nehan-mon Gate of Zuihoden 掬茶 (CC BY-SA 4.0) / The shrine buildings of Osaki Hachimangu among trees Tak1701d (CC BY-SA 3.0) / The zelkova-lined promenade of Jozenji-dori Avenue 掬茶 (CC BY-SA 4.0) / Shops of the Sendai Morning Market under Tanabata decorations Kinori (Public domain) / Godaido Hall on a small island in Matsushima Bay 掬茶 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped and resized.
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Kotodai-Koen
Upcoming events
Within walking distance
Places you can drop by on foot after leaving the station. Times are estimates.
A broad avenue lined with zelkova trees, with sculptures along the central walkway. The trees are lit up in December.
Sights are this site's picks, not a popularity ranking.
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ClassicsHidden gems
Times assume a 9:00 start. Travel times are estimated from distance and vary with waiting and crowds.
Leave 9:00 → until about 13:30 (about 4.5 hr)
about 5 min on foot
about 24 min on foot
about 16 min on foot
about 15 min by transport
about 15 min by transport
The bus only loops in one direction, so this order is the easiest. A one-day pass is handy.
Plan this routeLeave 9:00 → until about 14:28 (about 5.5 hr)
about 50 min by transport
about 30 min by transport
about 8 min on foot
You can also cross from Shiogama's port to Matsushima by sightseeing boat.
Plan this routeMay and October average around 15°C with moderate rain. Early August has the Tanabata Festival. Winters are dry and often sunny, averaging about 2°C.
Point at a month to see its temperature and precipitation.
Temperature (line: average; band: low to high)
Precipitation (mm)
Typical seasons
Cherry blossoms (Tsutsujigaoka Park)
Sendai Tanabata Festival
Pageant of Starlight
Autumn leaves (Akiu, Sakunami)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High (℃) | 5.6 | 6.5 | 10 | 15.5 | 20.2 | 23.1 | 26.6 | 28.2 | 25 | 19.8 | 14.1 | 8.3 |
| Avg (℃) | 2 | 2.4 | 5.5 | 10.7 | 15.6 | 19.2 | 22.9 | 24.4 | 21.2 | 15.7 | 9.8 | 4.5 |
| Low (℃) | -1.3 | -1.1 | 1.4 | 6.3 | 11.7 | 16.1 | 20.2 | 21.6 | 18 | 11.9 | 5.6 | 0.9 |
| Rain (mm) | 42.3 | 33.9 | 74.4 | 90.2 | 110.2 | 143.7 | 178.4 | 157.8 | 192.6 | 150.6 | 58.7 | 44.1 |
Temperature and precipitation are Japan Meteorological Agency normals (1991–2020, Sendai). Seasons are typical timings and can shift by a week or two each year. JMA data
Loople Sendai (sightseeing loop bus)
From Sendai Station it loops one way past Zuihoden, the Sendai Castle site, Osaki Hachimangu and more. A one-day pass is sold. Crowded on weekends and holidays.
Sendai Subway (Namboku and Tozai lines)
The Namboku Line goes to Kotodai-Koen; the Tozai Line to International Center and Arai. The two lines cross at Sendai Station.
JR Senseki Line
About 30 minutes from Sendai to Hon-Shiogama and 40 minutes to Matsushima-Kaigan. Matsushima Station on the Tohoku Line is a different station, far from the sights.
JR Senzan Line
About 40 minutes from Sendai to Sakunami and 1 hour to Yamadera. It runs through the mountains, so snow or fallen leaves can cause delays.
Sendai Airport Access Line
About 25 minutes from Sendai Airport to Sendai Station with no change of trains. Rapid services are a little faster.
From Sendai Airport
No transfers
From Tokyo
No transfers
From Morioka
No transfers
Times and fares (one adult) are estimates for a 9:00 a.m. departure. Tap a card to compare options for your own date and needs.